Weaknesses: DT Swiss rims could be lighter but seemed stiff, Elixir 9 brakes (while I like the reach and contact point adjustments, I just haven't quite got the feel for them yet. Not a problem, just seem to take a little more pressure than XT's.

Bottom Line:

I just got this bike used off Ebay. I am predominantly a roadie and do road races and the occasional 24 hour event. About 3 years ago, my friends kept bugging me to get a mtn bike and ride with them on Sundays. So I got a 32 lbs Gravity brick off the internet. I didn't want to drop a lot of cash on it as I was just testing the waters to see if I would even like mtn biking, but I wanted decent components that would hold up. Well, it got to the point that I struggled to keep up with guys I could drop on the road. Knowing it wasn't fitness, and most of them were no better bike handlers than me, that led me to the conclusion that the bike might be holding me back. Now I know for a fact that the bike will not make you appreciably faster on the road. I have an old custom, hand built Italian steel frame from the 80's with 2x7 gearing and weighing twice what some blinged out road bikes do these days. but I can still outride a marginally less fit rider on that bike. The key on the road is fit. But in the dirt, I am finding that all the tech ,geometry tweeks, low weight etc make a definite difference.

So, on to the Scale.... I got the bike in last week. I got it unpacked, did the minor assembly, set up the fit, checked the tire pressure, tuned up the shock, and adjusted the controls. Then came the snow. So the inaugural had to wait until today, and an excellent test day it was. The snow had the trails dialed in for traction except on some rocks as you drug mud up with you. There was also plenty of trail that had dried up. I hit a lot of fast, flowing single track, technical climbs, a long extended steep climb, and a technical descent with a lot of tight switchbacks.

The big picture here is that this bike is FAST. It rides better going fast and just begs for more. The stiff carbon frame responds to every pedal stroke and carries speed better than the other 29ers I have ridden. On little uphill rollers, I was able to just stay geared up and mash the last few strokes over the top, and just carry tons of speed through the transition. I found myself tapping the brake levers, but never engaging them through the more flowing sections. the bike descends aggressively and inspires confidence to stay off the brakes and just let it run. A lot of that confidence, I think comes from the point and shoot steering. This front end has massive amounts of carbon and a tapered steerer setup that makes it sup stiff. I could feel the wheel flex a little under a big load, but not the frame. My old bike required you to pick a line and stick with it. The Scale is up to quick changes of line without the big hoops wanting to stay in the line they were on.

Evidence that this bike is fast? How about 7 PR's on trails I've ridden and raced on for years? How about 3 technical climbs that I have not made it up in 2 years, climbed easily with gas to spare at the top? And I was not ever near going into the red. Heck I was just figuring out the new ride. I still have some riding style adjustments to make. The lightness of the front end and the increased traction keep surprising me. So getting that nailed down will help me to scorch those climbs soon. I will hit a group ride with some of the local racers this weekend. I expect that getting dropped may be a thing of the past and I won't be looking to take the last spot in line.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
George M.

Date Reviewed: December 19, 2014

Strengths: Light frame, good geometry, nice handling.

Weaknesses: Frame cracks easy.

Bottom Line:

Had this bike, Got it tuned in to my riding style. XC, switchback, Long climbs, moguls, light drops.Parts were okay, not top end but well balanced, X7, X9, Deore Cranks, DT Swiss wheels, Avid brakes.I have to say while it rode it rode nice, and it was light.Here is what happened.On a cool down section riding on flats, the derailleur hanger snapped, releasing the derailleur into the frame top swing arm.This could have been repaired by a repair shop if I wanted.But, the worst thing was that the dropout cracked all the way trough as a result.I heard of hangers snapping before , but the actual frame splitting down the middle as a result .In my opinion this area of the frame was made very weak, in fact now its changed into a trough bolt.Do yourself a favor, don't buy any older model like this one. The Scott Team did not want to agree that the frame failed, but I have the frame to prove otherwise. That's why you have a replaceable derailleur hanger.But when the frame cracks, going 5 miles per hour, and you are out of a bike that you pay good money for I say they should of replace their failed frame. They Din't . I have all e-mails to prove it and pictures.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
John Smith
a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: February 6, 2013

Strengths: 29'er climbs, descends, and rolls better than 26'er on flats and XC - at least for this large rider. On the road, the vibration damping of a carbon fiber frame vs. aluminum is unbeatable.

Weaknesses: Carbon fiber frame - if you ride technical XC, or so hard that you put the bike down regularly, you are just asking for it with a carbon fiber frame. Hit your rear DR or crankarm on a rock, put the bike down hard, etc., you stand a good chance of wiping out the frame to the tune of about $800. Every time a rock pops up while descending and hits the downtube I flinch and pray.

Bottom Line:

Carbon fiber frame is great, components are a little cheap for a $2800 plus pricepoint (I paid much less fortunately). Fork is very nice, although not stiff enough - some flex and squirm at speed or under hard breaking. Also not true lockout - only limits travel. I hate the handlebar and stem on this bike - personal preference. While the components are not high-end by any means, everything works well on the bike.

This bike is great for me because I am 40, ride primarily on the street (I ride XC bikes with 1.5's - hate road bikes), and I do not crash when putting in training miles. If I were still in my twenties, riding technical singletrack, urban assault, bashing rocks and crashing regularly, etc. I would be an idiot to buy a carbon fiber frame.

I've had my bike for six months now and just discovered an issue the other day when trying to change to a new stem - installation of any other stem, or even an attempt to flip the stock scott stem from negative 6 degrees to positive 6 degress, leaves play in the headset. No matter what I do, I cannot get any other stem to properly seat with the fork and headset. We will see what kind of warranty service I get on this issue.

Strengths: Great set of components for the price. Upgrades a must though. I'm upgrading to XX and some Stans Gold wheels, which should shave 4lbs off and turn this into a rocket. Bike climbs like nothing I've been on before. I use this to race and so far have done well.
Frame weighs a rediculous 2.1 lbs or something like that. So light!

Weaknesses: Frame sizes are a little off for my body size. I need a Small 1/2. But no big deal, the small works great for me, but only has room for one water bottle cage. Be nice to have 2 for those 25+ mile races. Rocket Ron tires have thin side walls. It makes them light, but not exactly durable. I punctured mine within the first mile of riding. I changed to Racing Ralphs,also a thin tire, but so far no promblems.
Warranty - Scott needs to get with the industry and offer a life time, or at least 5-10 year warranty on their frame. Currently it is only 3 years.

Bottom Line:

You can't beat the price. Its listed on this site as $2799, but I think it is retailling for $3400 now. Still not a bad deal for a carbon frame and XO/X9 set up.
Wheels are the equivalent of the DT Swiss 470 rims and 350 hubs. A little heavy, but an upgrade to some ZTR's and a better cassette will shave some rolling weight off.
I highly recommend this ride to anyone who is looking for a mid-level racing bike that is ready to perform right off the show room floor.
I went from a titanium 26" Litespeed to this, and am sold on both the 29er and Carbon frame.

Great bike for money spent. Love the climbing and handling. First, I wasn't convinced about the greatness of 29inch wheels but after a race a couple of weeks ago in really muddy conditions I'm convinced. The larger wheels were simply fantastic!

The Pro 29er handles well, feels stiff and ready for some serious racing. The 2x10 fits this bike perfect.

I've vad some issues with my frame. The rear triangle seems to be oblique with the result that my rearwheel has been scraping into the carbon... But my LBS has helped me alot so hopefully everything will be sorted out.

My previous bikes have all had different Fox forks which I personally like more than RockShox. Mostly because the Fox feel more stiff and locked when using the lock-function.

Overall rating would have been a 4 (or maybe even 5) if it wasn't for my frame. Until that is fixed, the Pro 29er only gets an overall rating of 3 from me.

Strengths: Great climbing, the control and handling it has makes it seem like its a 26

Weaknesses: n.a

Bottom Line:

I would highly recommend this bike, the value is great, its fast and agile, its really all you need for a bike of this caliber.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
RC Rider
a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: July 31, 2012

Strengths: light (23.5 lbs), stiff

Weaknesses: none

Bottom Line:

Review for the 2012 Scale Expert:
Great bike for the price. My first 29er, so I really did my research and demo (Stumpjumper HT Expert-too stiff, Highball-great bike, pricey). Scale climbs like a champ and learned how to pick my lines sooner (still learning!). I came from FS 26" and had to get used to absorbing the bumps w/ my legs, but that was expected. I appreciate the Reba lockout lever and only wish it came 2x10. Went tubeless and swapped out the rear tire for a narrower 2.0, reduced my air pressure for additional traction and "shock absorption". Looking for a lighter wheelset (I need all the help I can get).
I would highly recommend the bike!

Weaknesses: - Stock tires (swabble rocket rons). I just don't like them, swapped them out for some maxis tires
- Frame a bit flexy..

Bottom Line:

2012 Scale expert 29er What a fast bike! I swapped out the XT drivetrain for a SRAM 2x10. This thing likes to go! Almost 2 fast for me sometimes. The slack head tube allows for nice steep descending.

With 29ers, you need to choose different lines for technical sections. Not as easy to pick your way down a rocky sections compared to a 26 bike, but that is to be expected. This is why it's my race bike, I have a FS 26er for my all around riding

The bike does have some flex. I had it for a month and crashed. The Crank arm hit the rear chain stay and cracked the carbon. I don't know how the aluminum would have held up. But Scott was good with the crash replacement. Great company that stands by their bikes.

Submitted by
AJ Hassan
a Cross Country Rider
from P.Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia

Date Reviewed: March 6, 2012

Strengths: My review is actually on the Scott Scale Expert 29er.First time I purchased a complete bike.I wanted to try a 29er. Bought it because of its competitive price,real value for money & the color.

Weaknesses: None so far

Bottom Line:

I have a few bikes but since I purchased this bike I have been riding it more than my other bikes.I am surprised at the performance of this 29er.Indeed it has an advantage over the traditional 26 inch.I rode it at the same trials that I usually ride & was suprised at its character & performance.The feeling is quite similar to a short travel full-sus like my Blur XC carbon.climbing is excellent better than a 26 inch.So is descending is brilliant eventhough it is a hardtail & only 100mm travel on the RS Reba forks.
I am not prejudice against traditional 26inch but this great technological change is definately welcome & here to stay. I would be hanging my other bikes for a while !

Strengths: Great looking, well made, fast, very light can stand up and hammer. Best for fast smooth bike trails or fire roads

Weaknesses: This bike is for fast smooth trials only. Its not an all This bike will beat the &$%! out of you on any rough downhills. On climbs I kept losing traction. The Sram components felt clunky and imprecise

Bottom Line:

I was hoping this bike would have more all mtn or XC capabilities but it didn't for me.
After 6 months had to get rid of and get and went back to a FS Carbon 26" and much happier and having more fun.
Racers may like its stiff ride but other wanting more should look at an FS 26 or 29r

Strengths: Mine is actually a 2012 elite version. 22lbs 12 oz for a large out of the box without pedals, stiff where it needs to be, super stable going up or down and turns quicker than any 29r I have ever ridden of which there have been several, the new SID is way better than the Reba and every bit as plush as the fox fork on the Camber I tested, the DT skewers that come on this bike are interesting and perhaps help the front end out since it does not have a thru axle fork

Weaknesses: none so far but perhaps the massive seat post, if I were prince of the planet the bike would be better off with a 27.2
the company line is the flex is in the seat stays and to be honest I can't tell

Bottom Line:

I have never had a bike that felt perfect on the first ride until I took this one out. There is just nothing like a super light well made carbon 29r and this one seems to fit the bill. Time will tell on the frame and I have broke my fair share of carbon bikes over the years but I am a sucker for a 2 lb frame.

Excellent climber, super fast on the fireroads and flats. When the trail gets techy this bike isn't as smooth as a full squish bike but that's to be expected. This bike is great for XC and endurance racing at 24 pounds out of the box. If you are looking for a light race bike at a great price this is your bike, if you want something to ride every day look elsewhere.

Im a scott scale PRO ´11 happy owner but the reba fork.. :skep: me don´t like it, could never set it up propperly maybe, feels hard, nothing like the plushy feeling of my trek paragon´s fox fork.
I was planning to swap forks and give the fox a try on my scale, but what about G2 fork on a non G2 bik ... Read More »

This is my setup. As is, it comes in at around 21.5. Posting here I should probably get that dialed in but here is what I got. I weight 195lbs so I am limited on the super light weight stuff. What areas can I trim weight on the bike. Thanks for your input
Scott Scale Pro 29er Large
3M car bra co ... Read More »